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A Very MSE Advent 2025
Comments
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I need to go through Christmas presents too and see what else I need to get. Pleased to hear that your break has started in a cafe too - very cheerful!🎉 MORTGAGE FREE (First time!) 30/09/2016 🎉 And now we go again…New mortgage taken 01/09/23 🏡
Balance as at 01/09/23 = £115,000.00 Balance as at 31/12/23 = £112,000.00
Balance as at 31/08/24 = £105,400.00 Balance as at 31/12/24 = £102,500.00
Balance as at 31/08/25 = £ 95,450.00
£100k barrier broken 1/4/25SOA CALCULATOR (for DFW newbies): SOA Calculatorshe/her3 -
Oooh ... I didn't know silver could be so effectively cleaned with toothpaste. I have some old (I have owned them a long time, not originals or anything like that!), Rennie Mackintosh (again
) earrings that really desperately need a clean before they can be worn. Might try that this weekend 
KKAs at 15.12.25:
- When bought house £315,995 mortgage debt and end date at start = October 2039 - now £227,385
- OPs to mortgage = £12,822 Estd. interest saved = £6,166 to date
Fixed rate 3.85% ends October 2030
Read 77 books of target 52 in 2025, as @ 13th December
Produce tracker: £447 of £300 in 2025
Watch your thoughts, they become your words.
Watch your words, they become your actions.Watch your actions, they become your reality.3 -
I've had a slow morning, a bit of a reaction to busy days [receding it. However, it's sunny with a clear blue sky and I have on my grey, gold and cream Christmas jumper and am watching the wild birds on the feeder outside the window: blue ones and long-tailed ones that would be censored if I typed their full titles.
Toiletries-wise, I've found a tiny hand cream which is good quality but overpowering scent so I've taken it to the bathroom to use on my feet after my bath tonight - that way the feet will benefit but I should be far enough from the perfume!
I'm putting a chicken in the slow cooker any minute now and will defrost some more berries for cereal - which won't make up for the space the excess chicken will take in the freezer, but it's a step in the right direction.I think a bit of sunshine is good for frugal living. (Cranky40)
The sun's been out and I think I’m solar powered (Onebrokelady)
Fashion on the Ration 2025: Fabric 2, men's socks 3, Duvet 7.5, 2 t-shirts 10, men's socks 3, uniform top 0, hat 0, shoes 5 = 30.5/68
2024: Trainers 5, dress 7, slippers 5, 2 prs socks (gift) 2, 3 prs white socks 3, t-shirts x 2 10, 6 prs socks: mostly gifts 6, duvet set 7.5 = 45.5/68 coupons
20.5 coupons used in 2020. 62.5 used in 2021. 94.5 remaining as of 21/3/223 -
Found 2 more books in CS by DH's latest fave author & bought scratch cards for everyone. Realised I dont have as much butter as I thought. So need to pop out again, as want to bake tomorrowMaking the debt go down and savings go up
LBM 2015 - debt £57K / Now £27,644....its going down
Mortgage Free December 9th 2024! 18mths ahead of schedule.Challenges
EF #68 £950/£3000
.
68.Studies/surveys December £68.87
Decluttering items 1386/2025
Books read 22
Jigsaws done 18
My debt free diary...https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6396218/we-will-get-this-debt-d£own-the-savings-up3 -
Out for lunch today & then at Christmas bingo this afternoon. Even won on a line & got a big box of Christmas chocolates, gloves and something else I’ve forgotten. Money to charity.I am a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on Mortgage Free Wannabe & Local Money Saving Scotland & Disability Money Matters. If you need any help on those boards, do let me know.Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any post you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button , or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. All views are my own & not the official line of Money Saving Expert.
Lou~ Debt free Wanabe No 55 DF 03/14.**Credit card debt free 30/06/10~** MFW. Finally mortgage free O2/ 2021****
"A large income is the best recipe for happiness I ever heard of" Jane Austen in Mansfield Park.
***Fall down seven times,stand up eight*** ~~Japanese proverb. ***Keep plodding*** Out of debt, out of danger. ***Be the difference.***
One debt remaining. Home improvement loan.3 -
I have done nothing today but I have done it in my very pleasing pink waffle material jimjams a friend gave me4
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I have lots of lovely fresh library books in for Christmas 😊
I have clean sofas ready for lounging on. I tried to ban Chloe but it didn’t last long! 😂
I have a groceries delivery booked for tomorrow and a list ready for Christmas eve’s delivery.I have hand delivered (most of) the local Christmas cards.Mr KK and I have cleared the modelling table out to the conservatory so we can get the Christmas tree in tomorrow 😊🎄
The modelling table is now being used to support the hardboard which Mr KK is going to use in his determination to finish the kitchen island tomorrow!! 🤩👏🤞
It’s starting to feel a bit more like it round here 😊❤️
KKAs at 15.12.25:
- When bought house £315,995 mortgage debt and end date at start = October 2039 - now £227,385
- OPs to mortgage = £12,822 Estd. interest saved = £6,166 to date
Fixed rate 3.85% ends October 2030
Read 77 books of target 52 in 2025, as @ 13th December
Produce tracker: £447 of £300 in 2025
Watch your thoughts, they become your words.
Watch your words, they become your actions.Watch your actions, they become your reality.4 -
I also went to a children's Christmas Ball and wore a Christmas jumperRhyddid2026 said:The toothpaste has worked a treat @daisy_1571 I used it on a soft cloth.
Today I will be wearing an old silver bracelet as my Advent joy 😊 Debts 04/01/25 01/12/25
Natwest2 £6,509.97 £5,600
NatWest CC £7,612.74 £6,680
Lloyds CC £6,112.60 £4,690
1st Direct CC £176.03 £144.20
CC total £20,411.34 £17,114
TSB OD £500 £0
1st Direct OD £600 £0
Car loan £4,000 £4,000
1st Direct Loan £10,684.44 £8,160
Total £36,195.78 £29,274.20
EF £1,002.83
HF £203.992 -
Debts 04/01/25 01/12/25
Natwest2 £6,509.97 £5,600
NatWest CC £7,612.74 £6,680
Lloyds CC £6,112.60 £4,690
1st Direct CC £176.03 £144.20
CC total £20,411.34 £17,114
TSB OD £500 £0
1st Direct OD £600 £0
Car loan £4,000 £4,000
1st Direct Loan £10,684.44 £8,160
Total £36,195.78 £29,274.20
EF £1,002.83
HF £203.992 -
Toothpaste will clean your silver teapot too - even plated ones.2
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